Northampton, MA Cost of Living

Northampton cost of living index

In the event that the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used. Each cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. If the amount is below 100, it is lower than the national average. If the amount is above 100, it is higher than the national average.

A general summary of the cost of living index in Northampton, MA is shown above. Compared to the state average of Massachusetts the cost of living index in Northampton, MA is 115, which is 12% lower than the average in Massachusetts and compared to the national average it is 15% higher than. The cost of living index is made up of several categories. These are transportation at 9%, utilities at 10%, goods and services at 33%, housing at 30%, groceries at 13%, and health care at 5%. The bulk of the cost of living index comes from the categories of goods and services and housing. If you look at everyday goods and services they can be a good indicator in a certain city of the general costs of goods there. In Northampton, MA goods and services come in at 15% lower than the average in Massachusetts and are 6% lower than compared to the nationwide average.

Did you know?

The cost of living in Northampton is 12% lower than the Massachusetts average.

The cost of living in Northampton is 15% higher than the national average.

The cost of housing in Northampton is 43% higher than the national average.

Massachusetts general sales tax is 23% higher than the national average.

Massachusetts state income tax is 132% higher than the national average.

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Cost of living index

Goods & Services index

Groceries index

Health care index

Housing index

Transportation index

Utilities index

Use the salary calculator to compare your current salary in Northampton, MA to any other city. The salary calculator will tell you how much you would need to earn in any given city to maintain the same standard of living based on the cost of living in each city. For example, if the cost of living in the city you are looking to relocate to is higher than the cost of living in Northampton, MA, then you would need to earn more income in order to maintain the same standard of living. To use the Northampton, MA salary calculator, simply enter in the name of the new city, then adjust the slider to your current income. The salary calculator will do the rest and let you know if you need to earn more or less in the new city. You will also see a complete breakdown of the cost of living.

Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

Median Income

Per Year

Per Month

Max Budget (28% DTI)

Max Budget (36% DTI)

Owners

$78,487

$6,541

$1,831

$2,355

Renters

$34,912

$2,909

$815

$1,047

A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living is by simply calculating the maximum that a person should spend on housing in Northampton, MA, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The safest way to live in the city is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income that one earns on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Northampton, MA has a median income of about $78,487 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a person should spend a maximum of $1,831 on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $34,912. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $815 on all of their rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

Massachusetts Sales Tax

State

General Sales Tax

With Max Surtax

Massachusetts

6.25%

6.25%

Massachusetts Income Tax

State

Income Tax (Low)

Income Tax (High)

Massachusetts

5.15%

5.15%

When assessing the complete cost of living in Northampton, MA, the Massachusetts income tax and the Massachusetts sales tax percentages should unquestionably be taken into consideration. Sales taxes aren't just levies imposed onto sold goods, but they also include taxes that are charged when services are provided for a fee. The rates are different from state to state and can run has high as 7 percent. Some states have no sales tax at all. The Massachusetts maximum surtax is 6.25%, and the Massachusetts sales tax is 6.25%. By contrast, income tax is an unfortunate obligation that is charged by the government against earnings. Just like sales taxes, the rates for income taxes differ from state to state. They also decrease or increase according to the individual's tax bracket. Tax rates can run as high as 9 percent, with a minimum of zero. Income tax rates range from 5.15% to 5.15% in Massachusetts.

Goods & Services

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

Haircut

$13.60

$14.59

6.8%

Beauty Salon

$14.60

$34.68

57.9%

Toothpaste

$1.99

$2.47

19.5%

Shampoo

$0.99

$1.02

3.1%

Movie

$10.00

$9.87

1.3%

Bowling

$6.00

$4.39

36.6%

Groceries

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

Ground Beef

$4.07

$4.48

9.1%

Fried Chicken

$2.87

$1.46

96.0%

Milk

$2.33

$2.36

1.1%

Potatoes

$3.99

$3.06

30.3%

Pizza

$7.99

$9.24

13.6%

Beer

$6.99

$8.63

19.0%

Health Care

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

Optometrist

$142.50

$99.78

42.8%

Doctor

$99.20

$105.03

5.6%

Dentist

$95.00

$88.70

7.1%

Ibuprofen

$9.49

$9.41

0.8%

Lipitor

$231.30

$298.50

22.5%

Housing

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

Home Price

$280,300.00

$175,700.00

59.5%

Avg. Mortgage Payment

$1,515.12

$1,081.03

40.2%

Apartment Rent

$965.00

$920.00

4.9%

Transportation

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

Gasoline

$2.33

$2.09

11.2%

Tire Balancing

$61.98

$45.29

36.9%

Utilities

Item

Northampton

National avg.

Difference

All Electricity

$160.96

$170.80

5.8%

Phone

$27.50

$28.26

2.7%

Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.